God Heard ~ A Mother's Wish

Have you ever been humbled to tears by a mere remark and facial expression? Once, years ago, I took my children to a pond for a picnic. As I sat there enjoying every moment with my children, a car drove past on the gravel road. A woman flatly stated that I was on private property. I apologized and got up to leave. She scowled at me. I cried silently and hid the tears from my children. I quickly told the children that we needed to go to the park. They sadly said, "But there are no ponds or frogs at the park, Mom." I told them I knew that, but we were not supposed to be at this place. There were no signs up to indicate private property, so I thought that it was a vacant lot, at the edge of our neighborhood.

I never prayed, but rather had the wish of having such a pond some day. Two years later we were able to buy this 80 acre farm with a creek running through it. I praise God for giving me the longing of my heart. He saw those tears that day.
I am so thankful for the frogs in this creek and the fun found here on hot days. I never dreamed that God would bless me with something I didn't ask for, but had simply dreamed of inside my heart.
I'm thankful and I hope and pray for you to have those little secret dreams that are inside your heart too, that only God knows about.
May God bless you dear blogging friends. I know that you probably already know this Bible verse and you do these things, but it's worth repeating. "Seek first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you..." Matt. 6:33 I truly believe that when we keep our eyes on Jesus and His Word, then we are in a position to be blessed. Not all blessings are monetary or in the form of things. Many blessings are in the form of a crisis that bring us to a place of feeling HIS presence, or in the form of an encouraging friendship. This is only one example of something that happened in my life, and it was something I didn't pray for; I only had a moment of wishing. Our real blessing is knowing HIM in a closer way. Praise HIS name, Kathi

I Love My Teen-age Son

Don't touch that dial!! I am purposely playing a song that my son played for me while we drove in the truck. By the time you read this the song will have changed. This post originally had the song "Psycho," which you may change right now on my player if you'd like. I want YOU to feel and sense the whole feeling in this blog. Come along with me as my 16 year old son, Harrison and I go on a "MOM DATE."
I know I know, you are saying, "But, I can't stand this kind of music." Well, just hang in there and pretend you are in the truck with us and can't change it. Soon, you might even like it. Somehow I have grown to like it. I think, because it reminds me of being with my boy.
The next thing on your mind is, "Why is he not driving?" Oh, he has his license. I am driving because we are doing lots of city driving, in the truck, which he is not used to, and it is raining. We have to make lots of stops. He does fine in the car, with city driving. He needs lots of practice in this big truck first.
We made one stop at Bi-Mart, and got hungry. Harrison wanted to go to A&W. He loves their root beer.
I'm not shy when it comes to a good hamburger. YUM YUM. I agree the root beer is the best.
Harrison, who is growing, was still hungry and ate part of mine. We had fun together talking and just being together.
He wanted to go to Goodwill, and look for treasures. He loves comic books and found some cool ones.
I found an excellent cookbook called The Kitchen Garden Cookbook by Sylvia Thompson, a John Grisham video, and a Victoria Secret Cami for $4 bucks. I'm very pleased.
Harrison needed some school clothes. One of his favorite stores is Ross Dress For Less. He got some cool T-shirts, sweat shirts and another hat. He thanked me a lot and wanted to pay half, from his earnings this summer.
He loves his new clothes. Now it is raining quite a bit.
Next, Harrison helped me grocery shop. I love it when he pushes the heavy cart. I used to do that with a full cart, plus two kids inside, and pregnant, going up hill. What an amazing difference this is. God has blessed me with my wonderful son, well, with each one of my children. I'm very blessed.
Now, that we were heading home, I wanted him to practice on the back roads, in the truck, while it was raining.
Do I look confident? I'm trying to be silent. Wait a minute....we are supposed to be going home. What's this?
How did we end up at Game Crazy? Now my son is looking at video games.
Finally we are home and he and his sister, Victoria are helping to bring in all those groceries. We had a really fun time together. I'm so thankful for each one of my children. I am so thankful that my sister Sharon, told me about "Mom Dates." I stay closer to my kids when we have this one-on-one time. I praise God for His answers to my prayer to remain close to my children. I do feel close to each one. My next "MOM DATE," will be with Garrett. Have a lovely day with your children today, Kathi
Mom, Psalm 139 says, "You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb, I praise Thee because I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

We Are God's Care-free Children

Isn't it wonderful to see that look of elation and pure joy on a child's face?
I just love to see their enthusiasm for life. This is Jessica at 18 months.
I love to see that they have not a care in the world. Garrett, Christmas morning, age 13 months.
They have a "child-like" faith, that the Lord says we should have.
I love it that children are so joyful for just being together having fun. Here are Hayden, Harrison and Grayson thrilled to be together, brushing their teeth. Cousins spending the night!!!
I love it that children seem to only see the bright side. They don't seem to fret or stew or worry.
This is Victoria at age two. So why is it that I let the cares of this world keep me from getting a good night's rest? This is how I was last night, tossing and turning. I was forgetting that God is my Father.

I was upset at things like this. I mustn't let my peace be ruled by the price of fuel. The Lord knows my every need. I need to remember to "Cast all my cares on Him, for He cares for me." It cost me $160 to fill my truck the other day!!!
This is my friend Dawn and me last summer. We attend the same church. We "bumped" into each other at this state park one Saturday. There are no coincidences with the Lord, but rather appointments that He plans on purpose for us. We are now prayer partners.
We are together using this book Power of a Praying Parent, to pray for our children while our kids are in youth group. We are seeing miracles with our children. Praise God.

The Lord quietly reminds me that I can trust Him. He is faithful and true.

So when I toss and turn and cannot sleep, I want to either pray a prayer to ask the Lord to help me feel His presence and go back to sleep or do that and then get up and read my Bible and pray.
Yes, I must drive my children places and yes, I lead a busy life, sometimes waking at 4:00 am just so I'll have the time to pray and also get everything done, but I need not fear, nor fret.
The Lord is with me. He hears my prayers and calms my heart. I can lay all my burdens down, and rest in His care.
I can be joyful like these dear children, who have comeplete peace and security, because God is my Father. This is Cameron, Grayson and Harrison in Sharon's backyard. Her back yard is a lot prettier now! Arn't they just the way we wish we could all be? Which is at rest because they have no fear. "I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me." I can do nothing without Him.

Sleepless Mother Learns to Pray and Trust God

I was wide awake with worry and fear. I was stewing and could not sleep. Most of my worries are about bringing up my children to be good citizens, who love the Lord, are smart, kind, loving, and all the things a parent tries to instill in her children. I kept thinking that I didn't measure up. These are all lies from the pit. I know that all I have to do is ask God for wisdom and help and He promises to be there for me. So this is what I did......

Once again I knew where to go for the answer to my worries and fears. It's to the Lord and His Word. I decided that it didn't matter what time it was. Now, if I were an experienced blogger I would have shown a picture of the clock. Well, I will tell you. It read 3:00 am! I got up and prayed and read my Bible. I made the coffee! I was serious! I listed all the concerns for every family member in my journal. Then I prayed in faith for each one. I felt so light and joyful afterwards.

I can trust the Lord. He will help me to be wise in teaching and training my children. It took a huge load off my mind to list out my concerns for each child, and give them to Him. Jesus said: Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt. 11:29

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.Isaiah 40:11.

God is faithful. As my children get older I can see His hand of protection, guidance, and blessing. All things work together for good to them that love God, Romans 8:28. I can trust him, and I can sleep peacefully tonight. Guilt is the biggest problem for the homeschool mom. I do believe most guilt is from Satan, but some guilt could be our conscience. It could be the Holy Spirit telling us to stay in tune with HIM. When guilt comes...on my knees I go. I have learned. It has taken me many years, but I have learned that the safest place to be is in total dependence on the Lord.